Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §7056-A, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 498, §6, is amended to read:

4. Candidacy for elective office. An officer or employee in the classified service or an employee from the executive branch in the unclassified service of this State may not be a candidate for elective office in a partisan public election other than for a local for state or federal office. This subsection may not be construed as to prohibit an officer or employee of the State from being a candidate in an election if none of the candidates is nominated or elected at that election as representing a party whose candidates for presidential elector received votes in the last preceding election during which presidential electors were selected. Law enforcement officers continue to be subject to departmental rules regarding procedures on candidacy.

Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §7056-A, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 498, §6, is amended to read:

6. Rights of participation in political organizations and activities. An officer or an employee of the classified service or an employee from the executive branch in the unclassified service of this State may:

A. Campaign for and hold an elective office in political clubs and organizations;

B. Contribute money to political organizations or attend political fundraising functions;

C. Donate personal time and service to a political cause; and

D. Be a candidate for public office in a nonpartisan election; and

E. Participate in any other activity not specifically prohibited by state or federal law.

Sec. 3. 21-A MRSA §331, sub-§3, śC is enacted to read:

C.__An officer or employee in the classified service as defined by Title 5, chapter 372 or an employee from the executive branch in the unclassified service of this State is prohibited from soliciting or accepting a nomination by a political party for any federal or state office.